[Brian34Cook]

Vuch Report: McCoy traded, Hearne return
By Derrick Goold
03/18/2008 9:15 am

The Cardinals also expect the infield to get a little overpopulated in the near future, so this morning they traded infielder Mike McCoy to Baltimore’s Triple-A team for future considerations. Described as a Bo Hart/Stubby Clapp-type player, McCoy was going to feel the pinch of playing time toward the end of spring, so the Cardinals decided to find a place now before a) having to release him or b) all the other jobs out there for him filled up.

McCoy, 26, spent six years in the Cardinals system after being a 34th-round pick in 2002. The infielder hit .256, and in 2006 he was second in the entire organization with 30 stolen bases. Last season, he spent 90 games at the Triple-A level.

In his final Cardinals “game”, McCoy went 2-for-2 with a double and a run Monday.

** Memphis 8, Denver (by way of New Orleans) Zephyrs 6 **

– Trey Hearne, the pitching sensation of 2006 who climbed the prospect lists with his sharp performance in Low-A, pitched three scoreless innings, got the win and gave up two runs. In vintage Hearne fashion — recall he’s the 80s-mph pitcher with the late movement and control — he walked no one and struck out four.

– St. Louis native David Freese ripped two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. It’s clear that Freese will be the starting third baseman in Memphis, and that means Allen Craig will get his turn in the Texas League.

– Mitchell Boggs pitched four innings, allowed four hits and three runs.

** Springfield 3, Binghamton 3 **

– Pride of Tulane Mark Hamilton, who knows something about being a power hitter in the graveyard gaps of the aforementioned Zephyrs’ , launched a two-run home run and doubled in the tie. … A. J. Van Slyke doubled and tripled. Craig, mentioned above, doubled.

– TCU-alum and lefty Brad Furnish pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, on run (earned) and striking ouot three against one walk.

– Kyle Sadlowski and Cordoza Tucker combined to pitch three scoreless innings.

** St. Lucie 11, Palm Beach 7 **

– Still one of the rawest baseball players in the system and also one of the finest athletes, Daryl Jones is entering a pivotal year in his professional career. He and Mark McCormick can either establish themselves as deserving of the prospect tag or lose it. Jones, the outfielder who has spent the better part of the past two seasons at Low-A, is likely to start at High-A. For Palm Beach on Monday, he tripled, walked, scored twice and drove in a run.

– Gary Daley pitched three innings, and the Mets’ Single-A team tagged him with three hits, two runs and two walks. He struck out three. … Jess Todd allowed four runs in three innings pitch, and Pete Parise got the loss for allowing four runs in his inning.

– Francisco Samuel, in relief,was impressive again, averaging 92 mph and touching 94 mph in a scoreless inning. He did not allow a hit and struck out two.

– James Rapoport had a couple doubles.

** Quad Cities 3, Savannah 1 **

– Andres Rosales led a group of four stingy pitches for the Cardinals’ Low-A team. Rosales pitched three innings, allowed one hit (a wind-aided home run), the lone run and walked two against four strikeouts. … The bullpen then combined for six scoreless innings. Mark Diapoules got the win with three scoreless innings and four strikeouts. Deryk Hooker – one of those names to know; a prep pitcher with a peppy fastball — pitched two scoreless, and Davis Bilardello got the save with a scoreless ninth.

– Ryde Rodriguez tripled. Pete Kozma and Paul Vazquez had base hits, and Justin Roberson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

STLtoday.com - Bird Land - Blog Archive - Vuch Report: McCoy traded, Hearne return

[Brian34Cook]

Vuch Report: Stakes raised
By Derrick Goold
03/18/2008 11:38 pm

JUPITER, Fla. — And so Colby Rasmus and Joe Mather leap from the frying pan of the major-league camp into the fire, a free-for-all in the Memphis outfield.

When the two outfielders join the Triple-A team Wednesday for the first time this spring, they will see a scrum already underway for playing time at the Cardinals’ highest affiliate. As mentioned earlier today, Rasmus and Mather are locks for starting jobs with the Redbirds. That leaves only one other spot — to be won or shared. Apparently a couple minor leaguers got the memo:

• Amaury Marti, a righthanded hitter, went 3-for-5 with two doubles off the center-field fence. One onlooker said Marti drilled the ball and it was surprising neither left the ballpark.
• Cody Haerther, a lefthanded hitter, answered with a 3-for-5 afternoon that included a double and an RBI.

And, elsewhere, on the Vuch Report:

** Memphis 11, Albuquerque 3 **

– Lefty Jaime Garcia started, went three innings, allowed three hits and two runs (one earned) to go with a couple walks and two strikeouts. … Cory Rauschenberger was the winner after pitching four innings (three hits, one ER, 0 BB, 5 Ks). … Mark Worrell pitched a scoreless inning. Speaking of Worrell, it will be interesting to see how the Cardinals use the bullpen in Memphis, especially if it features Worrell, Chris Perez, Jason Motte and Hugo Castellanos. If the Cardinals want those relievers to get multiple-inning appearances — because they won’t be coming up to serve the one-inning, lockdown roles immediately — how will they be employed? Two-headed closer with Motte and Perez, perhaps?

– Josh Phelps homered.

** Carolina 3, Springfield 2 **

– Righthander P. J. Walters, the reigning organization pitcher of the year, went four scoreless innings, scattering five hits and offsetting one walk with five strikeouts.

– In relief, Mark McCormick pitched two-plus innings, allowed two hits and one earned run. He was … well, wild and up in the zone with pitches. McCormick walked four guys and struck out only one. His fastball hummed at 94 mph consistently and he touched 96 mph.

– Luke Gregerson, another of those relievers who is bounding toward the Memphis bullpen, pitched a perfect 1 1/3 innings with two strikeouts.

– An earlier blog entry today mentioned Bryan Anderson’s offense — one of the best lefthanded swings in the minor-league camp. The catcher went 2-for-4 on Tuesday. … Third baseman Allen Craig doubled.

** Palm Beach 11, Jupiter 3 **

– David Kopp, the 2007 draft pick, started and was the winner after throwing three scoreless, one-hit innings. The righthander walked two and struck out five, averaging 93 mph with his fastball and reaching 95 mph. … Over-the-top righthander Eddie Degerman pitched two scoreless innings.

– The Cardinals pounced on Florida starter Jeff Allison and guess who it was doing the damage. Name keeps coming up this spring: Daryl Jones. The former top-10 prospect cracked a three-run home run to right center off Allison. Nick Derba also had a two-run shot. Steve Hill homered.

– Tommy Pham had two hits, including a double and an RBI. … Oliver Marmol tripled, walked and had two RBIs.

** Greensboro 2, Quad Cities #1 1 **

– D’Marcus Ingram singled, walked and had the lone RBI for Quad Cities. He’s not hitting .417.

– Pitching lines: Thomas Eager 3.1 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 Ks. Chuckie Fick 2.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 2 BB, 1 K. Eduardo Sanchez 2 IP,1 hit, 0 runs, 2 BB, 3 Ks. And, Jose Mateo got the loss after 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.

– Andrew Brown singled and walked, batting .500 this spring.

** Quad Cities #2 6, Marlins 5th 5 **

– The minor-leaguer who took Kyle Lohse to the wall during the simulated game Monday continued to rake. Matt Arburr went 2-for-3 with two runs and RBIs. Arburr was the only player to really make good contact against the Cardinals’ newest righthander, who will get a major-league test Saturday.

– Will Groff went 2-for-4, pushing his average to .478 this spring (and it could be .500 if he gets a hit in his next at-bats). … Mateo Marquez went 2-for-3 with a walk.

– As for pitching: Brandon Garner went three no-hit innings, allowed on unearned run and struck out three. Josh Wilson pitched three innings, allowed three hits and two runs (one unearned) and he struck out two.

STLtoday.com - Bird Land - Blog Archive - Vuch Report: Stakes raised

[Brian34Cook]

Vuch Report: Craig & Mather mashing
By Derrick Goold
03/19/2008 11:54 pm

** Memphis 7, Albuquerque 1 **

– Finally up on the mound (a few weeks after his shot at the major-league camp vanished), Dewon Brazelton was the winner, pitching two no-hit, scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out five. … Joe Rogers pitched four no-hit innings, striking out two and walking on. … And Jason Motte, in his first day back with the Triple-A team, struck out two in a scoreless inning to end the game.

– Duncan’s solo homer was one of three ripped by the Redbirds on Wednesday. Joe Mather, making his first Triple-A start after being optioned out on Monday, drilled a three-run homer into a stiff wind. … Gabe Johnson hit a two-run homer.

– Mark Johnson, who as mentioned in JSL!!! today is set to be the starting catcher in Triple-A,was 2-for-3 with a double.

** Carolina 8, Springfield 4 **

– Allen Craig, set to be the starting third baseman for Springfield and on his way to be one of the team top hitting prospects, powered the offense Wednesday. He went 4-for-5 with a double and a home run, and he drove in two runs.

– A. J. Van Slyke hit a homer, with his father Detroit coach Andy Van Slyke there to watch.

– Righthander Adam Ottavino pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed five hits and two runs, both earned. As importantly: He walked zero and struck out four. … Bob Zimmerman record seven outs, three of them by strike out and held Carolina to one hit in his appearance. … Josh Dew, a pitcher to watch for stuff and ascent this season, pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts.

– Stu Pomeranz allowed six runs in his one inning. He got the loss after giving up four hits and walking three batters.

** Jupiter 5, Palm Beach 3 **

– Tyler Herron, a South Florida both taken in the supplemental round of the 2005 draft, worked four scoreless innings, allowing two hits. He walked one and K’d three. … Blake King allowed four hits, struck out two, walked two and gave up three runs in his two innings. … Justin Ficke allowed two earned runs and four hits in 1 1/3 innings.

– James Rapoport, considered a fine defensive center fielder, was 2-for-5 with a double. … Brandon Buckman, a breakout offensive player last season, went 2-for-3. … And Oliver Marmol, too often forgotten when it comes to talking about the middle infielders in the syste, singled and scored in his only at-bat.

** Quad Cities 5, Greensboro 4 **

– Carlos Pupo cracked a two-run homer.

– Nick Additon pitched three-plus, allowing three hits and two runs. … Prep pitcher Brett Zawacki, drafted out of Illinois last summer, allowed two runs and four hits in three innings. … Matt Spade nailed down the save with a perfect ninth.

– Adron Chambers, he of the diving catch that got the Braves a-clappin’ the other day, went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. … Peter Kozma went 1-for-3, but he also reached base two other times — with a walk and a hit by pitch.

– Joey Hage was 2-for-4 and had the game-winning RBI on a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning.

STLtoday.com - Bird Land - Blog Archive - Vuch Report: Craig & Mather mashing

[Brian34Cook]

Vuch Report: International flair
By Derrick Goold
03/20/2008 10:54 pm

JUPITER, Fla. — One of the talent pools the Cardinals are intent on tapping is the international veins of baseball, from Caribbean to East Asia. The club’s expanding efforts in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and even Nicaragua are well documented. And, at the start of spring, they invited a European player across the pond and signed their first player from South Korea.

A world tour in three stops:

• Cuban defecter Amaury Marti went 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs for the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, continuing what’s been a muscular spring for Marti.
• Mexican righthander Fernando Salas pitched two perfect innings.
• And the aforementioned pitcher from South Korea had another in what’s been a few intriguing appearances. Jai Chul Chung pitched two perfect innings with four of his six outs coming by strikeout.

Passports ready? Take a ride on the Vuch Report.

** Memphis defeated Las Vegas, 7-2 **

– The enigmatic Blake Hawksworth got the win, adding to his rollercoaster spring (rollercoaster recent career?) with four innings, during which he allowed three hits and one earned run, walked one and struck out three.

– Two players who have had recurring appearances with the major-league team in backup roles had strong days: Josh Phelps was 2-for-2 with two runs, and Rico Washington went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and a walk.

– Nick Webber pitched two innings, allowed two hits and one earned. … Zach Zuercher struck out one in his one inning, and Jonathan Mikrut struck out three in his two innings of work.

– Colby Rasmus went 1-for-3 with (pause for effect) a (drumroll) walk.

** Springfield lost to Jacksonville, 8-1 **

– Brandon Dickson pitched three innings and allowed five runs (four earned.) … Pete Parise pitched one three-up, three-down inning.

– Record-setting closer with wicked stuff Ken Maiques pitched an inning, walking one and allowing one hit.

– Mark Hamilton went 1-for-2, with a couple walks and an RBI.

** Palm Beach defeated Inland Empire, 8-0 **

– If there’s a prospect having a breakout spring that restores potential that started to lose its luster, it’s Daryl Jones. The young outfielder who delights scouts with his tools and frustrates his coaches with his (so far) inability to tap those tools has been a revelation so far in spring games. On Thursday, he doubled, stroked a two-strike triple to right-center field and had two RBIs.

– In the same game that featured Chung’s outing, Kyle Mura got the win after pitching three perfect innings with 4 K’s Jai Chul Chung.

– Kris Honel pitched two innings, no hits, 1 walk and a strikeout. … Cardoza Tucker pitched two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one BB against a strikeout.

– Tyler Henley had two hits, including a triple and an RBI. … Steve Hill had an RBI double. … Isa Garcia went 2-for-2. … Donovan Solano tripled and scored two runs. … And, Jonathan Edwards had a hitless streak that reached 11 at-bats before Wednesday’s games, and on Thursday he went 1-for-3 with a double.

** Quad Cities defeated Great Lakes, 7-5 **

– All nine starters had at least one hit, lead by a couple speedsters. Beau Riportella had a pair triples with two RBIs, and outfielder D’Marcus Ingram went 2-for-5.

– Brian Broderick pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. … Wayne Daman had two innings pitched, allowing an unearned run and strikeout out two. … Matt North was tagged for three earned runs in two innings.

– Charlie Pelt went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, a double and a walk

– Jose Garcia nailed a 3-run HR

STLtoday.com - Bird Land - Blog Archive - Vuch Report: International flair

[Brian34Cook]

Making the leap
Spring outing could help Clayton Mortenson land in Double-A Springfield.
Kary Booher • News-Leader • March 22, 2008

Jupiter, Fla. -- He doesn't look all that imposing, his uniform nearly drowning all 180 pounds of his 6-foot-4 gangly frame and the shadow from his ballcap nearly hiding a baby face.

But if ever there was a strong hint that right-hander Clayton Mortensen will be Springfield-bound and leapfrog into Double-A baseball next week, it came over three batters in the seventh and eighth innings of an intra-squad game Friday when he struck out three Triple-A Memphis batters in a row.

Brian Barden, Rico Washington and David Freese were his victims, the first frozen on an 81 mph changeup, the next with an 81 mph changeup and the third -- take a guess -- with an 81 mph changeup.

"I had to go to my offspeed (pitches) quite a bit," Mortensen said following 2 2/3 innings of work. "My sinker was flying all over the place."

[Link]

Vuch report will be Posted soon!

[Brian34Cook]

Vuch Report: Backyard tussles
By Derrick Goold
03/21/2008 5:09 pm

** Springfield defeated Memphis, 4-2 (7 innings) **

– For Memphis on the mound, Mike Parisi, fresh from a solid turn in the major-league camp, took the loss after allowing seven hits and four runs (three earned) in his 4 1/3 innings of work. He walked none and struck out two. … Trey Hearne pitched two perfect innings.

– Adam Daniels pitched 3 2/3 innings , allowed a hit, no runs. Daniels also struck out two against two walks for Springfield’s team. … Clayton Mortensen pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs. Mortensen walked two and struck out four. According to Springfield News-Leader baseball scribe Kary Booher, who saw the game, Mortensen struck out three consecutive batters at one point, each one with an 81-mph changeup.

– For Memphis at the plate, outfielder Cody Haerther tripled and had two walks.

– A prospect who could further complicate the Cardinals outfield situation at Triple-A Memphis this season, Jon Jay went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Springfield. … Second baseman Dan Nelson ripped two doubles off Parisi, and the 13th-round pick drive in two runs. … Brandon Yarbrough doubled, scored a run and had an RBI

** Palm Beach defeated Quad Cities #1 (split squad), 7-4 (5 Inn) **

– For Palm Beach, Shaun Garceau pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowed three hits and two runs, walked twice and struck out five. … Francisco Samuel threw a perfect inning with 2 K’s.

– J. D. Stambaugh worked four innings, gave up five hits and one earned run. He also struck out three batters. … Eduardo Sanchez allowed four runs and got only one out.

– For Quad Cities, first-round pick shortstop Peter Kozma doubled, scored and had an RBI. All indications are from scouts and people who have seen plenty of games on the back fiels are that Kozma has been superb defensively. That’s how he was advertised on draft day. … D’Marcus Ingram singled, walked stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI.

– For Palm Beach, first baseman/catcher Steve Hill went 3-for-3 with a double, and Donovan Solano was 2-for-2 with a home run and a couple RBIs.

– And then there is the daily Daryl Jones. He went 1-for-2 with a HBP and run scored.

**Quad Cities #1 (SS) tied with Quad Cities #2, 0-0 (4 innings)**

– QC1 held their same-level opponents to one hit in four innings, all of which were pitched by Hector Cardenas. He struck out two and did not walk a batter. Not that his opponent, Dyland Gonzalez, permitted much either. The QC2 pitcher worked four innings, allowing three hits and two walks but also striking out three.

– Charlie Kingrey doubled and Mike Folli and Travis Mitchell (Parkway Central) both singled for QC1.

STLtoday.com - Bird Land - Blog Archive - Vuch Report: Backyard tussles

[Brian34Cook]

Jay saying all the right things
Talented prospect looking to make up for injury-shortened 2007.
Kary Booher • News-Leader • March 23, 2008


Jon Jay is looking to take on a leadership role this season, trying to lead the Springfield Cardinals back to the postseason.
(Amber Arnold / News-Leader)

Jupiter, Fla. -- In minor league spring training, it's bite back or be bitten.

That's why it would never be a surprise if a prospect feverishly tracks his every plate appearance, jots down notes even on the exact time he hustled in front of the manager or quietly wishes that the other guy trips, stubs his toe and stumbles out of competition.

It goes on in camp. No one denies that. Yet the one guy that the Springfield Cardinals absolutely need this season, the player that could be a difference-maker, has no time for such nonsense.

Jon Jay is down here in spring training talking big, of having grandiose plans this season, uttering words of "tradition" and "we" and even purposely letting slip "championship" in conversation.

Consider it a well-stocked verbal caché, but not on standby merely to appease notepads and tape recorders. As the curtain rises on the 2008 season, Jay appears to understand that his role this year must be much more meaningful than that.

After all, guess who is climbing into the starring role of Springfield Cardinals center fielder? It's an assignment that would not be under such a harsh spotlight if not for top prospect Colby Rasmus raising the bar unbelievably high last season as the team nearly won the Texas League pennant.

"I feel like we have a really talented team, but I don't feel like the whole load is on my shoulders," Jay said. "We have been playing together for a few years now and I think we get along. And I know we want to get to (the TL) championship and win it."

Jay saying all the right things | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader

[Brian34Cook]

** Memphis 6, Albuquerque 1 **

– Boggs was the winning pitcher, going five innings and allowing two hits and no runs. He struck out seven and walked two. … Lefty reliever Ron Flores, who still could have a role with the big-league team because of the lack of depth on his side of the bullpen, pitched two scoreless innings and struck out four. … Two parts of the stockpile of closers Memphis could have this season worked the game as well: Mark Worrell allowed a run in his inning, and Jason Motte followed with a scoreless inning. He struck out two.

– Jose Martinez had a strong offensive day and looks be positioning himself to be the Redbirds starting shortstop. A underrated prospect who is apt to get a look at second base when the Cardinals are next auditioning for the job, Martinez doubled and hit a three-run homer Saturday.

– Gabe Johnson went 2-for-3 with a double and run scored. … Reid Gorecki doubled, and Brian Barden and David Freese had the other hits for Memphis.

– Barden, the utility infielder, was outrighted off the 40-man roster this week. He cleared waivers and was assigned to Memphis on Friday.

Zimmermann part of Springfield victory
By Kary Booher
kbooher@news-leader.com

JUPITER, Fla. -- Left-hander Brad Furnish, a 2006 second-round draft pick from Texas Christian, scattered four hits over five innings and third baseman Allen Craig had two doubles and an RBI single as the Springfield Cardinals beat the Carolina Mudcats 5-1 today on the backlots of Roger Dean Stadium.

Furnish allowed one run on a wild pitch but got by despite recording 10 fly-ball outs. Four relievers, including former Missouri State closer Bob Zimmermann, covered the final 12 outs.

The right-hander recorded two strikeouts, allowed a single and then ended the eighth inning on a flyout in setting up closer Luke Gregerson.

Other than Craig, Springfield's star was center fielder and leadoff man Shane Robinson, who had two hits, three RBIs, a stolen base and a run scored. Robinson is a 2006 fifth-round draft pick out of Florida State but played only 47 games last season as he nursed a foot injury. He could be a fourth outfielder for Springfield this season.

News-Leader.com | Springfield Blogs - Kary Booher | Springfield News-Leader

** Springfield defeated Carolina, 5-1 **

– TCU alum and lefty Brad Furnish was the winner, working five innings, allowing four hits and one earned runs. … Reliever Matt Scherer, who is on the bus to Port St. Lucie to provide backup for this afternoon’s big-league game, pitched one perfect inning. … Nick Webber, Bob Zimmerman (2 K’s) and Luke Gregerson (2 K’s) each threw a scoreless inning. Gregerson is the other minor leaguer going up to see the Mets today.

– Third baseman Allen Craig work up before his alarm clock to spend the morning facing Mark Mulder in his first appearance against hitters. Nice warmup. By the time he was playing in a game a few hours later, his bat was perky, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Heck of a race between Double-A Craig and Triple-A Freese when it comes to playing time at third base in the near future with the Cardinals.

– Shane Robinson had two hits, a double and three RBIs … Casey Rowlett had two hits, a run and an RBI.

** Palm Beach defeated Jupiter, 5-3 **

– The Cardinals’ High-A affiliate trailed 3-1 in the seventh inning before tagging the Marlins’ affiliate, which shares the same regular-season stadium with the Cardinals’ team, for four runs in the bottom of the inning.

– The offense came from Daniel Descalso (another of the hitters who faced Mulder), who had two hits and an RBI. … Jon Edwards, the strapping outfielder with the plus arm, went 2-for-4 with an RBI. … Oliver Marmol – yes, the third of the hitters to start his day against Mulder — singled in his only at-bat. … Isa Garcia was 1-for-4 with three RBIs.

– Righthander Gary Daley pitched three innings, allowing one hit and one run. … Eddie Degerman, who has the unusual pie-throwing delivery, worked 1/3 inning, allowing one hit and two runs. He also walked two batters. … Armando Carrasco pitched 2 2/3 scoreless. … Elvis Hernandez was the winner in relief with a perfect inning. … Josh Dew pitched a perfect ninth, which included a strikeout.

** Quad Cities #1 defeated Greensboro, 10-1 **

– Arkansas’ own and 2007 draft pick Jess Todd was the winner with five shutout innings of one-hit ball, no walks and five strikeouts. … Andres Rosales followed with three innings, during which he allowed two hits and an unearned run. … Justin Fiske finished up with a scoreless ninth.

– Charlie Pelt went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. … Domnit Bolivar, the star of the first Vuch Report of spring, went 3-for-5 with a double and run scored. … St. Louis’ own Travis Mitchell cracked two hits. … Beau Riportella and Luis DeLaCruz each had a couple RBIs.

** Quad Cities #2 defeated Marlins’ 5th club, 5-0 **

– Deryk Hooker, again a name to keep track of this season as a fireballer who could rise into full-season ball this summer, got the win. The righthander pitched three scoreless innings, allowed two hits and struck out two against two walks. The San Diego native, whose father helped build PETCO Park, was a standout pitcher in the Gulf Coast League last season, a few months after being a seventh-round pick. Hooker struck out 47 and walked 11 in 31 innings pitched.

– Mark Diapoules also had three scoreless innings, allowing two hits, striking out four and walking one. … Jose Mateo (2 IP) and David Riddle (1 IP) finished the game.

– Matt Arburr, a familiar name to the Vuch Report this spring, was 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. … Ryde Rodriguez, a familiar name to all the farmniks out there, hit a three-run HR.

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[Brian34Cook]

Walters sharp for Springfield Cardinals
By Kary Booher
kbooher@news-leader.com

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Right-hander P.J. Walters retired 13 of the final 14 he faced in a five-inning effort, and outfielder Luke Gorsett hit a home run as the Springfield Cardinals tied the Binghamton Mets 4-4 today at the Tradition Field Sports Complex.

Walters, who won the Minor League Pitcher of the Year award in the St. Louis Cardinals system, is likely Springfield-bound when the Double-A team ends spring training on Wednesday.

He had to overcome two errors by the defense in the first inning and then settled in well. He allowed two runs, one earned, but ended the bottom of the first with a strikeout to start his charge through the rest of the game. He finished with six strikeouts and got a huge defensive play from center fielder Jon Jay.

Jay made a diving catch of a flyball near the warning track, drawing applause from the smattering of fans and even opposing players.

Gorsett, a seventh-round pick in 2006 out of the University of Nebraska, finished with two RBIs. Third baseman Allen Craig followed Justin Roberson's RBI single with one of his wown in the 10th inning.

The teams played 12 innings in order to get extra players from A-ball -- including 2007 first-rounder Pete Kozma -- some at-bats.

News-Leader.com | Springfield Blogs - Kary Booher | Springfield News-Leader

[Brian34Cook]

** Memphis lost to New Orleans, 12-6 (played 11 innings) **

– Memphis led 2-1 after six innings. … Lefty Jaime Garcia put the Triple-A Cardinals in position to win before his relievers botched the lead. Garcia pitched five innings and allowed three hits and one earned run. … Former first-round pick Dewon Brazelton could repeat his dazzle from his previous start, allowing seven hits and five earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. He did strike out three. … Cory Rauschenberger also stumbled in his two innings, allowing seven hits and five earned runs.

– Thomas Eager worked two scoreless innings, striking out two against one hit.

– Before coming over to the big-league game to crack a two-run home run, his third in major-league games this spring, Colby Rasmus went 1-for-3 with Memphis. … Starting second baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir went 3-for-6, and Joe Mather hit two doubles. … Rico Washington, who is coming west with the team to Ft. Myers, also doubled. … Mike Folli hit a two-run triple.

** Springfield lost to Binghamton, 5-4 (played 12 innings) **

– P. J. Walters worked five innings, allowing two hits and two runs (one earned). He walked two and struck out six. … Stu Pomeranz followed with 1 1/2 innings. Binghamton scored twice on three hits of Pomeranz. … Closer prospect Ken Maiques and Jonathan Mikrut each threw one scoreless inning. … Brandon Garner threw three innings, allowed one hit and one run while striking out a batter.

– Luke Gorsett, the cellist in the Gorsett Quartet, went 2-for-4 with a HR and 2 RBIs. He had a strong year last season, starting with Quad Cities and it will be interesting to see if he gets the chance to leap to Double-A this season and what that does to the Cardinals increasing depth at outfield. … Most recent first-round pick Peter Kozma was 1-for-2. … Allen Craig singled, walked and had an RBI. … Big year ahead for shortstop Tyler Greene, who not only has to prove he can stay healthy but that he can produce when he’s healthy. Greene, taken right after Rasmus, was 1-for-3 with a run scored. … Justin Roberson had a RBI single in his only at-bat.

** Palm Beach defeated St. Lucie 7-3 (played 12 innings) **

– Righthander Mike McCormick got the win with a strong line. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowed two hits, struck out four and — most impressive of all for the wild-fire thrower — did not walk a batter. … David Kopp pitched four innings, allowed three hits and two runs (one earned). He struck out two. … Chuckie Fick threw two innings in relief, allowed two hits, one run and walked one. … Pete Parise tossed a perfect inning.

– Tony Cruz, who continues to see ample playing time at catcher, went 2-for-4 with a double, homer and two RBIs. Cruz is the third baseman who burst into Quad Cities last season after refusing to settle at two lower levels. Early this spring, I told a fellow scribe that I wouldn’t be surprised if Cruz was the surprise invite to big-league camp a year from now. Guess that’s big of a bogus prediction if he makes this transition to catcher successfully. His position will net him that invite. So how’s this: With that bat at that position, he’s going to rapidly scale the organization’s top prospect list.

– Daniel Descalso went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. … Steve Hill, who was supposed to expand his prospect resume with time at catcher ala Cruz, and Nick Derba, a catcher, each doubled, walked and scored.

– The Daily Daryl: Lapsed top-10 prospect Daryl Jones went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

– Donovan Solano was 2-for-2 with a double and RBI. … D’Marcus Ingram, who is turning up in these reports often enough to start appearing in the tag cloud on the right there, and Jonathan Edwards were each 1-for-2.

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